Bougainville sessional order set for parliament

The National Parliament will reconvene on Tuesday, June 9, with the Bougainville agenda taking precedence.

The session will see the presentation of the sessional order, which provides the legal framework for members to debate and vote on Bougainville's future.

A sessional order is a rule or decision made by parliament that applies only for a specific parliamentary session [a sitting period], not permanently.

Leader of Government Business and Regional Member for Bougainville, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, announced this on Friday before adjourning the House.

Members of Parliament are set to deliberate on one of the country’s most significant political issues when the House resumes on Tuesday.

This follows calls for deferral of debate on the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee Report on Bougainville Matters.

Members argued this would give them enough time to read the report and properly consider what has been described as a delicate and sensitive issue.

Mr Tsiamalili Jnr says the third week of the session will focus more on Bougainville-related matters.

The highlight will be the presentation of the secessional order by the Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Manasseh Makiba.

Meanwhile, Bougainville leaders continue to call for decisive action from the 11th National Parliament.

Among them is North Bougainville MP Francesca Semoso, who has urged national leaders not to be afraid in making a decision on the region’s future, saying it requires courage and leadership.